|
|
Post by materialstwit on Jan 16, 2013 15:26:00 GMT
I don't get much of an opportunity to contribute to this forum, but I thought I'd follow up on something I wrote a couple of months ago.
I've now been to 12 games at the Gallagher - in the main stand, behind the goal, and next to the dugouts. So do I still like it? Although what I've seen on the pitch has varied (more of which below), the overall appeal hasn't waned. In fact, I can't wait for another game. I'll be at most home games between now and the end of the season. I have several friends in a similar position - we'd rather wander down to watch the Stones than pay £100 to watch a top flight game and feel like 'another number.'
The attendance figures are extremely encouraging, and back up what I said in a previous post: The quality of the experience is proving enough to draw in people from Maidstone and the surrounding area, despite the relatively low (in league terms) status of the team. On reflection, to get over 1000 vs Three Bridges on the coldest night I've experienced since visiting Iowa last January (put it this way, the Mississippi was frozen over) is in some ways even more impressive than the capacity crowd on New Year's Day.
On the pitch I think having an unsettled side (through injuries, suspensions, what-to-do-when-X-returns-from-injury... etc.) has been the major contributor to the Stones having to settle for draws, rather than getting three points every game. After playing a couple of games with roughly the same team, we seem to be able play anyone off the park. Anyway, oh woe is us... it's such a hard life for a fan when your side is top of the table, isn't it?
My highlights so far? Celebrating Ade's late equaliser vs Worthing (noise at last!). How it felt when the fifth went in against Dulwich*. My dad going to the toilet/me saying "there'll be a goal if you go now"/him subsequently missing Draycott wonder strike/me laughing. And Nicky Humphrey's diving header vs Three Bridges... for a few moments I actually forgot I was freezing to death.
Cheers,
A future season ticket holder.
*Hmm. That was a home game. We were on form. They were somewhat unlucky. I'm lot more worried about this Sat.
|
|
|
|
Post by nws on Jan 16, 2013 15:43:25 GMT
This sort of feedback is encouraging to hear. The fact that you are enjoying things so much is great. Glad to have you on board.
Have you been to any away games yet?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2013 17:38:10 GMT
Great to hear new fan comments such as these. All credit of course goes to the owners for the foresight and ambition to build the stadium. Never doubted we d get large crowds once back in the town.
|
|
|
|
Post by nws on Jan 16, 2013 19:05:25 GMT
Never believed the crowds would be this high. It's great!
|
|
|
|
Post by signalstone on Jan 17, 2013 8:52:23 GMT
Never believed the crowds would be this high. It's great! Build it and they will come  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 10:08:30 GMT
Who did you use to go and watch, materials? You say top flight. We must have pinched a fair few from both Charlton and G*lls despite one having just gone up and the other having a decent season? Transferring allegiance within non-league possibly less, though Mo is the notable exception. A lot of these extra 1400 people were probably not watching football at all on a Saturday a year ago. Maybe they were shopping in Comet, HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster instead?
|
|
|
|
Post by toonarmy on Jan 17, 2013 11:24:05 GMT
I am also new to watching Maidstone United and have now been firmly bitten by the non league bug, i have a season ticket and also get to some of the away trips which have been an eye opener after the splendours of the Gallaghers, if people ask me who i follow i know say Maidstone United. The people i have met since coming along to the Gallaghers this season have been first class and i am looking forward to the rest of this season and many more to come.
My highlights so far were the Dulwich home game along with the Bedford away game (We had all types of weather in one afternoon)and my disappointments if i can use that word was the East Thurrock away game we were terrible, anyway onwards and upwards, now where did i put my amber tinted glasses...COYS
|
|
|
|
Post by pat1969 on Jan 17, 2013 12:17:31 GMT
Oxford - I'm one of the new fans and before starting to watch MUFC, I used to play golf (badly) most Saturdays.
Like toonarmy, I'm also now bitten by the bug and aboslutely love it.
Yes, toonarmy, the ET game was poo. Memories from that was the fat local on top of the "caravan" singing on his own, the outrageous Flish sending off which even their keeper said was a foul and one of our fans telling the young lino that he would be going home in an ambulance haha.
|
|
|
|
Post by porkystone on Jan 17, 2013 19:23:18 GMT
I am also new to watching Maidstone United and have now been firmly bitten by the non league bug, i have a season ticket and also get to some of the away trips which have been an eye opener after the splendours of the Gallaghers, if people ask me who i follow i know say Maidstone United. The people i have met since coming along to the Gallaghers this season have been first class and i am looking forward to the rest of this season and many more to come. My highlights so far were the Dulwich home game along with the Bedford away game (We had all types of weather in one afternoon)and my disappointments if i can use that word was the East Thurrock away game we were terrible, anyway onwards and upwards, now where did i put my amber tinted glasses...COYS toonarmy, on behalf of slightly older fans I'd like to thank you for lighting up the main stand at The Gallagher each week ;D |
|
|
|
Post by toonarmy on Jan 17, 2013 19:46:51 GMT
Thank you Porkystone, your comments are greatly appreciated, see you Tuesday night when we play Folkestone
|
|
|
|
Post by materialstwit on Jan 18, 2013 13:25:48 GMT
Personally, I've never supported a team before, although I love the game. Which I guess makes me a bit of a rarity. I've just never fancied walking around Maidstone town centre in a Chelsea, Liverpool, or Man United shirt, pretending to be their biggest fan in the history of the world. (Unlike thousands of others...)
I've mostly been with friends to watch their respective teams. I've been to a few Prem games in London, and been to see the Gills (or G*lls as many of you say round here), because some of my best mates are Gills fans. However, I never enjoyed "going to the football" enough to get hooked to a particular team.
Watching Maidstone gives me more enjoyment. Not sure why. My dad grew up following Crook Town*, so I guess non-league is a better fit with my DNA! So I'll keep going to matches... promotion or not.
Have I been to any away games? Bizarrely, I've seen Maidstone away in previous seasons - Chatham (pre season) and Whyteleafe spring to mind. This year, I'm pretty busy and concentrating on going to as many home games as I can.
Cheers all. COYS.
* For those not old enough, Crook Town AFC - aka 'The Black and Ambers' funnily enough - were once quite famous: Five-time FA Amateur Cup winners and the first English side to tour India (in 1976).
|
|
|
|
Post by meerkat87 on Jan 18, 2013 13:46:11 GMT
I cannot say too much about your first sentence, materialstwit, as I follow Arsenal - have only seen them play once, but I like to see them win. My main passion is for The Stones.
I think it would be very difficult not to enjoy watching Maidstone at home now (very biased I know!)
There is a very happy all-round atmosphere, we're home after 24 years and have an amazing ground/stadium, whichever you'd prefer to call it. All thanks to our fantastic 3 owners.
It is so nice to see them walking around and talking with everyone, there is a general appreciation from them to all supporters for following Maidstone United, which you don't get certainly in the football league, because it is more a business now and all about money, they ain't fussed about the fans aslong as they're paying the monies.
It is nice to hear of new fans enjoying their visits to the Gallagher and hearing of people buying season tickets etc.
With regards to away games, it would be nice to see more people going to them, mainly Saturday ones obviously than midweek as these are in the evenings, but I think numbers will increase probably more next season.
|
|
|
|
Post by nws on Jan 18, 2013 16:27:50 GMT
...we're home after 24 years... Strangely, I am pretty certain I was watching Stones play games in Maidstone through the 1990s. Now what were you saying to me about proper fans earlier this week? ;D ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by nws on Jan 18, 2013 16:29:20 GMT
Thank you Porkystone, your comments are greatly appreciated, see you Tuesday night when we play Folkestone I think he meant the rest of stand seemed quite bright once you were in there, TA |
|
